In the late 1920's, many families moved away from Lincolnton County, GA in search of a better way of life. Close family and group ties which had been established during the slavery period were broken. Long distances and economic conditions made it difficult for them to get together. One of those who left during '20's and settled in Charlotte, NC was the Rev. T. M. Martin. He was able to return "home" more frequently than others, and saw the need to maintain close family contact. During one of his visions he talked with several family members who agreed to come to his home in Charlotte.
The first reunion was held in Charlotte, Saturday, November 4 through Sunday, November 5, 1933. Those who attended were related by birth or marriage. From Charlotte and the surrounding area were the families of: Rev. T. M. Martin; Simon Martin; bothers Tom, Jim and Otis Leverett. Those who came from Lincolnton County were: John Walker and daughter, Anna Bell; Matte Lou Beard; Daisy Williams: George and Brancy Wingfield: Nell Bennett; John Garnett; G. W. Bentley; Alton Reid; and Welcome Mickens.
The religious service was held at the Calvary Baptist Church and the other sessions at the home of Rev. T. M. Martin. The following officers were elected: President, Rev. T. M. Martin: Treasurer, Jim Leverett; Secretary, Lenora Edwards: and Assistant Secretary, Anna Bell Hogan. They decided to hold a reunion every year, the first Saturday and Sunday in November, and to alternate the meeting place between Charlotte and Lincolnton.
The second Reunion was held at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Lincolnton, GA, November 3-4, 1934. New members who attended were the families of: Carmel Reid; Sim Reid; Ed Freeman; Hoagie Hogan: John Thomas Leverett; Fred Tutt; Jim Reid; George Bennett; Tom Bennett: Rev. W. T. Mason; Rev. Thomas Martin; and Rev. Sim Gunby. This was quite a gathering with much rejoicing and exchanging of ideas.
For the first few years in a row, the weather was unusually cold and rainy. This proved to be a hardship for those who had to travel long distances: therefore, the meeting dates were changed to the first Saturday and Sunday in October, or the Saturday prior to the first Sunday in October. Each year more and more family members came to the Reunion.
In the late 1950's Rev. T. M. Martin suffered a stroke and became confined to a wheelchair. Despite this, he continued to serve as president until his health began to fail in 1963. At this Reunion, he asked Welcome E. Mason to preside over the session, and at the end of the meetings Rev. Martin asked Mr. Mason to officially take over. He felt that Mr. Mason was a young man with a promising future, and that under his leadership, the Reunion would grow and prosper. Mr. Mason accepted, and promised to serve until another leader was elected. This was Rev. Martin's last reunion as he died October 14,1964.
The Reunion grew to include relatives in other cities and states. In 1968, the membership voted to hold Reunions in other cities in order to give us a chance to meet other relatives who had not previously been involved.
Mr. Mason was elected president for an indefinite term during the 1965 Reunion in Lexington, NC. The motion was made to make Tabernacle the permanent meeting place because it was home for many of the founders. It was defeated. A second motion was made and carried to change the meeting dates from October to the weekend before the first Sunday in August in order to increase the participation of young people who are in school in October.
The 1970 Reunion was held August 1-2 in Lincolnton, GA at the Tabernacle Baptist Church. This was by far the largest attendance and amount of money raised in the history of the Reunion. The weather, however, was unusually hot and the church was not air-conditioned which made the participants very uncomfortable.Therefore, the Reunion dates were changed back to October. At this Reunion, Rubena Byrd Parker was appointed Historian.
The 1971 Reunion was held in New York City. In the absence of the President, Mrs. Anna Bell Hogan Williams presided. The History of the Reunion was presented for the first time. In the past, emphasis had been placed on fellowship rather that preserving a historical account of the family and the Association. At the close of the final session, Mrs. Williams was elected to an indefinite term as Vice-president.
During the 1977 Reunion in Charlotte, it was recommended that we retain an attorney to assist us in the preparation of a Charter, and developing a Constitution and By-laws. In 1979, the 46th anniversary of the Association, the Constitution and By-Laws were present and ratified by the membership.In 1982, the Association established a scholarship assistance loan to encourage our young people to continue their education.The first recipient was Michael Bennett who was pursuing a degree in computer science.
The Golden Anniversary of the Association was celebrated October 1-2, 1983 in Charlotte, NC. The last three living original members were presented with corsages: Daisy Williams: Connie M.Kinard; and Anna Bell Hogan Williams. In 1987 the Executive Board recommended a policy change regarding scholarship loans. It was changed to a one-time gift for the student's current year of enrollment, the amount to be set based on the amount of funds available and the number of requests for the year. Checks are to be made payable to the to the student's school.
During the 1990 Reunion held in Detroit, MI, the criteria for scholarship assistance was changed. Parents or guardians of applicants must be active members of the Association for three years prior to the student's application. The applicants must be accepted as full-time students in an accredited college, university, technical or vocational school. Article III, Membership, of the By-Laws was amended. 'A membership fee of .00 per household must be paid whether or not the member attends the reunion. Single people, ages 21 years and over and still living at home, must pay a separate registration fee."
During the 1991 business meeting, President Mason announced that he would be retiring in 1992. A search committee was formed to identify a successor.
The 1992 Reunion met in Los Angeles for the first time, and added new features to the celebration: the meeting time was lengthened to three days: first picnic; Association logo and colors; silkscreen imprinted T-shirts and hats: and a video recording of our celebration.
During the 1993 Reunion in Augusta, GA, the following were elected to office: President, Norris Gunby: 1st Vice President, James Hogan; 2nd Vice President, James Keith Leverett; Administrative Secretary; Rubena Byrd Parker; Assistant Secretary, Loretta Hargrave; Membership Secretary, Brenda Anthony Morris; Treasurer, James Gunby. The first edition of "Family Matters', the Association's newsletter, was published. In 1994 during the Cleveland, OH Reunion, Carlos Artagas presented the Association with a family tree banner.
The Reunion has blossomed in the past 70 years. Our membership has increased more than ten-fold. We are proud to be members of the Martin-Leverett Association, Inc. with roots spread throughout the United States.
Our men and women are graduates of a variety of professional schools and universities and actively engaged in all types of professions and businesses. God has truly been good to us. Let us look forward to continuing the legacy of our forefathers.
